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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 [07] Jul 25 CITY OF ST.JOSEPH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Meeting Minutes—Wednesday July 25,2012 Present: Chair Dale Wick; Board Members Tom Skahen, Steve Frank and Larry Hosch; Board Member Nominee Doug Danielson. Absent: None Also present: Travis Moore, Central MN Federal Credit Union, Michael McDonald, Talieza Callaway, and Economic Development Consultant Cynthia Smith-Strack. Call to Order. Chairperson Wick called the July 25, 2012 meeting of the St.Joseph EDA to order at 5:00 p.m. Agenda. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda. Motion by Frank,seconded bySkahen to approve the agenda as presented. following minor discussion regarding scope of agenda item 7(a) regarding 2013 budget. Motion carried 4-0. Public Comment. Wick introduced the agenda item. The only comment was from Board Member Frank who inquired about closing out the demolition permit for the former Del Win ballroom. Oath of Office:Doug Danielson. Wick introduced the agenda item and Strack administered the oath of office. All present congratulated Danielson on joining the EDA and thanked him for his public service. Approval of Minutes. Wick introduced the minutes from the June 20, 2012 regular EDA meeting. Motion Hosch, Second Frank to approve the June 20,2012 minutes as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Accounts Payable and Monthly Report. Chairperson Wick introduced the agenda items and reviewed accounts payable for July 2012 in the amount of$2,655.10(MDG contract)and $1,000 to Matt Newlander Designs, LLC for Cone Castle BFA. Moiion Skahen,Seconded Frank to approve accounts payable and the July financial reports as presented. Motion carried 5:0. 2013 Budget and Capital Programs. Wick introduced the agenda item and referenced materials included in the packet. Strack provided a history of capital projects and a presumption the operations budget would remain similar to previous years. Hosch inquired as to whether or not the EDA had established capital project priorities in the past. Wick indicated support for establishment of priorities for capital projects. Strack noted the EDA Annual Report contained goals, although not prioritized and that the previous years' capital projects were outlined in the packet memo associated with this agenda item. Those projects included work in the July 25, 2012 EDA Meeting Page 1 downtown, business incentives, the BFA program, the demolition grant program, and work adjacent to CSAH 2/3. Danielson inquired as to whether the $70,000 suggested in the Capital Projects line item was realistic. The Board by consensus agreed that the Council fully funding capital projects was not likely. Strack further explained each capital project category and summarized past proposed CIP amounts and actual amounts approved by the City CounciL Frank asked what the EDA's priority would or should be. Wick noted the downtown was the priority. Frank inquired as to where the EDA should go with downtown efforts. Wick suggested all EDA members bring a priority for downtown to a future meeting. - Frank inquired as to what happened with the rehabilitation grant as sought by the Stearns County HRA on behalf of the city. Strack noted that she and Joanne Foust had been in touch with DEED, CMHF, and Stearns HRA representatives regarding the project. Strack noted that based on her meeting with DEED representatives the �ity would likely be competitive when seeking a single purpose owner occupied housing rehabilitation grant through the Small Cities Development Grant program. Review standards and processing have changed significantly. The CMHF has indicated they would consider applying on behalf of the City and they would administer the grant if awarded. Strack noted the City Council should direct whether or not the EDA continue on the project. Motion Wick, Second Hosch to approve the operaiions expenditures as presented with a request for $70,000 for capital projects contingent on priority setting at a future meeting. Motion carried 5:0. Downtown Action Plan. Wick introduced the agenda item referencing a memo and map included in the information packet. Commissioners were provided copies of 11" x 17" maps in which they were each identify their vision for the downtown footprint and important attributes as discussed at a joint workshop on June 6th. The goal of the exercise is to develop three or four concepts for the other committees and stakeholders to respond to and provide input. Ultimately a plan will be developed with identified short and long term goals and potential funding sources. Hosch noted he needed to leave the meeting shortly but had completed the exercise prior to the meeting. Hosch presented his map to the Board. Hosch exited the meeting at 5:45 p.m. The remaining Board members marked up their 11 X 17 maps by: • Defining a 'downtown'area. • Noting locations for public parking. • Highlighting pedestrian routes. • Accentuating potential courtyards/green space. • Identifying potential redevelopment sites. July 25, 2012 EDA Meeting Page 2 Completion of the mapping exercise took longer than anticipated. As a result the EDA agreed by consensus to present their ideas to the group at the August meeting. In addition discussion regarding the following was postponed to a future meeting: 1. Identify meihods of implementing a theme such as through the use of benches, planters, design guidelines, etc Discuss methods to include stakeholders in the process 2. Identify methods of marketing the downtown including development of signs at the entrances to the city, along the Wobegon Trail, development of print materials and apps. 3. Define the unified vision for the downtown to seek stakeholder input on 4. Identify steps to accomplish the vision 5. Develop a phased plan for implementation and 6. Identify funding sources to accomplish identified goals. Business Retention and Expansion. Wick introduced the agenda item noting that Travis Moore (Central MN Federat Credit Union) and Michael McDonald representing the Chamber of Commerce were at the meeting. Wick referred to the Survey included in the information packet. He then invited comment from Moore and McDonald. Moore stated the Chamber of Commerce overwhelmingly supports the BRE effort and that he suspected some Chamber members would be willing to meet face-to-face with businesses if/when needed. Danielson inquired as to whether or not the Chamber reviewed the survey. Moore noted McDonald took the survey himself. McDonald noted he found a few kinks in the questionnaire the first time he completed it but that they were quickly rectified. When he took it a second time the process went smoothly. He opined the questions were logical and useful. Wick asked when the Board would like to distribute the survey to the initial ten contacts. Strack noted the survey could be released August 1, 2012. Wick suggested that the deadline to complete the survey be moved from August 31St to August 15t". He also requested a status update for the August 22nd meeting. Frank noted the EDA had interviewed three representatives from recent development projects in the City. He stated that whife they all were pleased with the services provided by the City he still keeps hearing from people who are not satisfied with the development process. He inquired as to whether or not the other members of the Board thought more questions regarding the development process, fees, and taxes should be included in the survey. Wick noted there were questions relating to those items in the survey especially questions 15, 16, and 34. Board members agreed by consensus the questions provided sufficient opportunity for those completing to address concerns regarding the development process, fees,and taxes. McDonald noted that he had asked Breth/Zenzen fire protection why they moved from the Downtown. According to McDonald the move was needed because parking had been an issue. In addition, McDonald noted that Kevin Johnson had difficulties with the development process and regulatory scheme despite his having secured a demolition grant. McDonald then inquired as to how many face-to- face meetings were going to be held. July 25,2012 EDA Meeting Page 3 Wick stated that volunteers would have very limited time to conduct face-to-face interviews. Danielson suggested emailing the survey and then following up with a request for a face-to-face meeting with those who don't respond to the survey inquiry. The EDA Board agreed by consensus the follow up face to face meetings process would be sufficient. McDonald stated the Chamber is committed to helping the EDA obtain honest feedback. Frank requested the survey and cover letter be changed to reflect a deadline of August 15t"and that the work'anonymous' be changed to `confidential'. McDonald inquired as to what is to happen after the first ten surveys are completed (i.e. the survey test/trail is completed). Wick noted adjustments if needed would be made and then the survey, if desired, would be widety distributed. The EDA agreed by consensus to distribute the BRE with the aforementioned changes. Surveys to be released on August 15t and due back by the 15tn BFA Guidelines. Wick introduced the agenda item and provided an overview of the proposed changes. Danielson inquired as to whether or not changes had been instituted over time. Wick spoke to previous changes made to the guidelines and the strength of the program. Motion Frank, second Danielson to approve the changes to the BFA guidelines and application. Motion carried 4:0. Board Member Announcements. Strack referenced the previous meeting minutes and noted that the purchase of plaques for outgoing members was not an eligible expense. Skahen noted a former EDA Member may be approaching the Board regarding sale of his property. Adjournment. Motion Skahen, second Danielson to adjourn. Motion carried 4:0 with the meeting adjourning at 6:30 p.m. ����� � � Joanne Foust EDA Consultant Municipal Development Group Inc. July 25,2012 EDA Meeting Page 4